The Grand Slam: Analyzing the Orioles (Week 26)

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Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun

Say it ain't so, Joe: Starting pitcher Joe Saunders said in the wild card interview room Thursday that he's the same pitcher he has always been, which probably won't be considered great news to Orioles fans who are aware of his career 0-6 record against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. But Saunders also point out the obvious -- that every day is a new day -- and the Orioles have put the lie to some more damning stats than that over the course of their surprising season. For instance, they were 0-14 against Boston Red Sox starter Jon Lester until two weeks ago. Buck Showalter really didn't have a wide range of choices, and Saunders is a veteran with some playoff experience, so try to keep an open mind.

Say it ain't so, Joe: Starting pitcher Joe Saunders said in the wild card interview room Thursday that he's the same pitcher he has always been, which probably won't be considered great news to Orioles fans who are aware of his career 0-6 record against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. But Saunders also point out the obvious -- that every day is a new day -- and the Orioles have put the lie to some more damning stats than that over the course of their surprising season. For instance, they were 0-14 against Boston Red Sox starter Jon Lester until two weeks ago. Buck Showalter really didn't have a wide range of choices, and Saunders is a veteran with some playoff experience, so try to keep an open mind. (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)

Pitching outside the box: Buck Showalter has not been afraid to push an unconventional button during the course of this unique season, so he probably considered all kinds of possibilities before settling on Joe Saunders. However, he apparently did not seriously consider anything as unconventional as, say, putting the weight to the Orioles' playoff hopes on the young shoulder of Dylan Bundy or pitching the first six innings of Friday night's game by committee. There comes a time when you have to just go with your best option, and there are those who feel that -- right now -- the Rangers are particularly vulnerable to left-handed starters.

Pitching outside the box: Buck Showalter has not been afraid to push an unconventional button during the course of this unique season, so he probably considered all kinds of possibilities before settling on Joe Saunders. However, he apparently did not seriously consider anything as unconventional as, say, putting the weight to the Orioles' playoff hopes on the young shoulder of Dylan Bundy or pitching the first six innings of Friday night's game by committee. There comes a time when you have to just go with your best option, and there are those who feel that -- right now -- the Rangers are particularly vulnerable to left-handed starters. (Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun)